Photographic printing, developing, and fixing apparatus.



J. BOWERS.

DEVELOPING, AND FIXING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED 1111.9, 1911.

PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING,

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. BOWERS.

PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING, DEVELOPING, AND FIXING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9, 1911.

1 ,006,428, Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

s SHEETS-SENAT 2.

JI BOWERS.

PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING, DEVELOPING, AND IIXING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED IANA, 1911.

1,006,428. Patented 001.1731911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3..

JOHN BOWERS,.OF LONGBEACH, CALIFORNIA.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING, DEVELOPINGp-.AND FIXING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 17. 1911.

Application inea ianuary 9, 1911. serial No. 601,636.

To all who/m it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BownRs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Longbeach, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Photographic Printing, Developing, and Fixing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for printing, developing and fixing photographs on a continuous roll of paper or other substance; and the invention consists particularly in mechanisms and arrangements for the exposure and development of the paper, the prime object being to provide such a device as to enable the paper to be easily and quickly handled and exposed and developed during proper intervals. In my invention all of these operations are accomplished from a single crank handle. The intervals O exposure and development may be entirely independent of each other, so that the prints may be finished more efficiently.

The details of my invention will become clearer from consideration of the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings. In these drawings I have shown a-preferred form of my device particularly adapted for printing post cardv pictures:` in large numbers from one or a few negatives; but it will be understood that the device may be used for printing from any class of negatives, being ,especially useful in any case where a large number of duplicate prints are desired.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is Va plan of thesame box 5 being shown in section. Fig. 3' is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the operating mechanism including a diagrammatic showing of the artificial light mechanism. Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the method of rolling the paper at the completion of its treatment in my apparatus. Fig. 6 is a perspectiveview showing the under surface of the negative frame used in my apparatus. A

In the drawings 5 designates a compartment in which roll 6 is mounted, paper 7 passing 0E the roll over a roller 8 and thence horizontally under negative frame 9 and through aperture 10 out of the compartment. Immediately outside the compartment a set of cutting or slitting rolls 11 is mounted to cut of the' edge`portions of the paper or to -otherwise trim or slit the paper as maybe desired. From the cutting rolls the paper passes into the developing bath 12 where the developing mixture 13 is kept at a suitable height, as will be hereinafterexplained. From the developing bath the paper then passes into the' fixing bath 14 and thence into a series of washing baths 15 and finally to rolling apparatus 16 where the paper is rerolled ready for subsequent handling or the paper may pass directly to the mechanisms of subsequent operation without the intervention of the rolling mechanism. This will be more fully explained later.

Compartment 5 is surmountedby a light compartment 5a, this last either having an entirely open side 5b or some other means for admitting sun light, or having a suitable equipment 5c of artificial light for printing the pictures. A partition 20 is arranged horizontally between compartments 5 and 5a to exclude all light from compartment 5 except that which passes through the .neg'atives. Negative frame 9 is set inl partitlon 20 and the aperture in the frame is normally covered by a swinging shutter 21 mounted `on a shaft 22. This shutter is raised by an appropriate mechanism for any desired interval. The negative frame is preferably constructed as illustrated in Fig. 6, having tongues 25 adapted to fit in corresponding grooves in partition 20. A glass 26, preferably ground, is placed on the underside of the frame, aording a backing against which negatives 27- are pressed. Negatives 27 are preferably secured to the frame by being first secured along their edges to a strip 28 whose other edge is placed between strip 29 and the body of the frame, strips 29 forming the edge portions of the frame. In this manner the negatives are secured so that they will always be accurately in position when pressed against the glass backing and so that they may be lifted whenever desired. The arrangement also makes it possible to alter the negative by working directly on the upper surface of the ground glass 26. Paper 7 passes directly under negatives 27 and a pressure board 30 is situated directly beneath the paper, ordinarily being lowered so as to allow the paper to pass freely. At the same time the shutter 21 is opened, board 30 is pressed upwardly to press paper 7 against the negative. This operation is performed through the medium of arm 31 and shaft 32, a spring being interposed to insure even contact and pressure. After the paper has passed out of the printing compart ments and through the cutting rolls as before described, it passes between two rolls 35 and 36. Roll 36 is designed to be rotated directly through the medium of a mechanism about to be explained, while roll 35 is rotated by reason of frictional engagement with paper 7 passing over roll 36, roll 35 being pressed downwardly by its own weight or by any other suitable force. By rotating these rolls in the direction indicated, the paper 7 is drawn through the printing compartment and the cutting mechanism by an amount depending upon the amount of ro tation of the rolls which will in turn depend on the size ofthe pictures. Immediately upon passing these rolls, the paper 7 drops into the developing bath as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A small loose roller 40 is supported Vby the loop of paper passing down into the developing bath and up again, the weight of roll 40 being sucient to keep the paper stretchedv in the bath and compel the equal exposure of succeeding portions of the paper. The liquid in the bath is kept at constant height by means of an linlet 41 and an outlet 42. These provisions for equal exposure are extremely' important as, in the course ot making a few thousand successive prints, the slightest diiierence between successive prints may grow `into a large difference be tween the irst and last prints. From the developing baththe paper passes over an idler roller 43 and then over a feed roller 44 of the same diameter as'. roller 36. yFeed roller 44, in common with 'feed rollers 45 and winding roller 46, are rotated from roller 36 by means oi2 a sprocket connection 47, so that the peripheral speed of all the rollers is the same.. Roller 44 serves to draw the paper out of the developing bath and to discharge it into the tiring bath where it is allowed to accumulate to some extent and to be throughly lined betere it is draw/nto the nent roller 45 out ot the hiring bathand into the first washing` bath. llt will be seen that the depth of passage ci the paper into the developing bath may be roughly varied by drawing the paper over roll 44 and thereby increasing or decreasing the amount in the bath; but it will be understood that the amount of paper in the bath can only be varied in units equivalent tothe lenig-thor width oil one' picture, as otherwise there would be periods when a part ot a picture were in the bath and being developed fun ther than a part which was without the bath. llt is essential that each picture, and each part of each picture, shall remain in the bath during the same interval cui time, and this is practically accomplished by having the pictures so arranged that each move ment et the roll vof paper places a complete which slides in slot 66 in bar 67.

sacoches picture in the bath and removes a complete picture therefrom. The variation'of the development interval is further accomplished with greater accuracy through the mechanism about to be described.v

Roller 36 is mounted on a shaft 50 mounted in bearings 51, roller 35 being pref: erably mounted on a shaft 52 which slides vertically in ways 53. Mounted on shaft 50 is a disk 54, tightly secured to the shaft in some preferred manner, and coperating with an eccentric pawl 55 to form a ratchet mechanism which will move shaft 50 only in the direction indicated. Eccentric pawl 5v5 is mounted on an arm 56 and pressed into engagement with dish 54 by a spring 57. Arm 56 forms a continuation of crank handle 58 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 50. By this arrangement, a movement of handle 53 inthe direction indicated will rotate the rolls to move the paper. The movement of handle 58 in this direction is limited by means of a stud 59 adjustably secured on a sectorGO forming an extension` trom bearing 51. When handle 53 is moved to the left in Fig. 3, pawl 55 will' drag over the disk 54 until the pawl reaches such a position that a pin 61 set inits face will engage with a stationary lug 62 and torce the pawl completely out oil engagement with the disk. f' lt is designed that this action shall take place just before the end oi the motion of handle 58 toward the left, lthe remainder out the motion being utilized to open shutter 21 and force up pressure plate 30. @n the return movement of the handle tom ward the right, the shutter is again closed and pressure plate 30 dropped before pawl 55 is allowed to come into engagement with disk 54. ln this manner it is provided that the shutter and pressure mechanisms shall bein condition to allow the movement of' the paper before the paper is started, and also that the contact oi pawl 55 with disk 54 vshall furnish a definite starting point from which the stroke oit the mechanism begins to pull the paper through the machine. Consequently, by adjusting the position of stud 59, the amount of paper pulled through at each stroke can be accurately gaged.

@n the lower end of arm 56 is a stud 65 Bar 67 and rod 63 term an adjustable connection to pivot 69 on arm 70 mounted on shutter shaft 22. A second pivot 7l is also provided in connection with shutter shaft 22 and a rod 72 connects this pivot with a pivot 73 on arm 74 mounted on shalt 32, the arrangement being such that a relatively large movement el shaft 22 will cause small. movement of shaft 32 suiiicient to press pressure plate 30 up against the paper while the shutter 21 is being thrown open. When handle 53 is moved toward the left pawl 55 has been thrown out of engagement with 13@ disk 54, pin 65 will engage with the end ot' slot 66 and the subsequent movement of handle 58 toward the left will cause the movementot pivot 69 toward the right, causing the shutter to open and the pressure plate to take its upper position. Handle 58 is held in this position by the operator, or by any mechanical eontrivance used `for actuating the machine, until the paper beneath Athe negatives has been suiiiciently exposed. I-Iandle'58 is then moved toward. the right, the shutter and pressure plate being first returned to their original positions and the paper being then drawn through the machine the desired distance. It will be seen that the length of exposure depends entirely upon the length of time the handle 58 is held in its extreme left position, while the developing interval depends directly upon the length of time ensuing between successive movements of paper through the machi-ne. The development interval can be varied by merely lengthening or shortening the interval between successive movements of handle 58, independent of the length of time the handle is allowed to remain in its extreme lett position. In practice I may employ a very weak developer so that the necessary development interval for the pictures is much greater than the interval of exposure. This provides for flexibility of action, the exposure intervals being then varied without varying the development interval. To illustrate I may take the following example: Suppose that the exposure interval is ive seconds while the development interval is fifty seconds. If the developing bath is arranged to hold live complete pictures, then it is necessary that the pictures be moved in and out.of the bath one every ten seconds. In this case, then, there would be ten seconds interval between successive arrivals of the handle 58 to the position illustrated. Say the movement of the handle required one second; then, taking away the five seconds exposure interval during which the handle is left in its left hand position, the handle would remain in the position shown for an interval of four seconds during each cycle of operations. An in-v crease or decrease of the exposure interval would thus merely decrease or increase the interval ofrest without affecting the interval of developing. On the other hand, it is possible to arrange the interval of development so that it will correspond exactly with the other intervals, so that the handle is not kept at rest in its right hand position. This saves a large amount et time and simplilies the operation of the mechanism; the handle being then `merely moved to the right and immediately back to the left, being held to the left for the requisite time. When the handle is held to the left and arm 74 is pressed down, a switch 74 mounted on the arm and on box 5 is closed. If it is desired to use artificial light for printing, this switch 74a is arranged in a circuit f4b including a lamp or lamps 5c placed in box 5 above the shutter 2l. The lamps Will thus be operated when theshutter is open.

- The details of the above described mechanism are not essential to my invention, other and equivalent members and combinations being possible to efect the. desired results in a similar manner.

In the fixing bath the paper is allowed to fall in overlying layers so that each portion of the paper is therein exposed during a time interval of some duration. From the fixing bath the paper passes through any desired number of Washing baths, being typically taken from the last Washing bath to be rolled up on ya mechanism 16. finding roller 46 is operated through the medium of sprocket connections 47, and roll S0 is pressed by vspring 81 aganst Winding roller 46. As the winding progresses, the roll of paper is pressed against winding rolle-r 46 and roller 80 continues to recede from roll 46. When a whole strip of paper has been Wound on roll 80, it is removed for the subsequent operations of drying and cutting.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the gist of my invention consists in the mechanism hereinbefore described and having for its purpose the movement of the paper through the machine at certain intervals and also its exposure at certain intervals. But I do not limit myself strictly to the mechanical details shown and described, believing that my invention is sufliciently broad to include other mechanical arrangements for effecting the described movements and exposures of the paper.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A device of the class described, comprising an exposure and a developing mechanism, means `forfeeding a sensitive strip through the exposure and developing mechanisms, an operating lever, means whereby the movement of the lever in one direction causes the operation of the feeding means', and means engaged by the lever near the end of its movement in the opposite direction to operate the exposure mechanism.

2. A device of the class described, comprising an exposure mechanism including a movable shutter, a feeding mechanism to 'feed a sensitive strip through the exposure mechanism, an operating lever, means whereby the movement of the lever in one direction causes the operation of the feeding mechanism, and means engaged by the lever near the end of its movement in the opposite direction to operate the exposure mechanism to open the shutter.

3. A device of the class described, comprising an exposure mechanism including a movable shutter, a feeding mechanism to feed a sensitive strip through the exposure mechanism, an operating lever, ratchet- 'means whereby the movement of the lever in one direction causes the operation of the feeding mechanism, and means` engaged by the lever near the end of its movement in the opposite direction to operate the ex posure mechanism to open the shutter.l

4. A device of the class described, comprising an exposure mechanism including a movable shutter, a feeding mechanism including a set of feed rolls adapted to feed a sensitive strip through the exposure mechanism and beneath the shutter, an operating lever, ratchet connecting means between the lever and one of the feed rolls and adapted to transmit motion in one direction from the lever to the feeding means, a member connected to the exposure mechanism and adapted to be engaged by the lever near the end of its motion in the direction opposite to that in which the ratchet mechanism operates, said member by movement With the lever adapted to operate the exposure mechanism and open the shutter, and means to disengage the ratchet mechanism While the lever is in engagement with said member.

In Witness that l claim the foregoing l have hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of December, 1910.

JNO. BOJVERS. Witnesses:

JAMES 'l BARKELEW, Emvoon H. BARKELEW. 

